He believes the best way to accomplish that goal is to keep the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s bantamweight title for a long time. And the first person who will try to take it away from him is the man he beat for the belt three months ago.

Dillashaw will defend his championship against Renan Barao in the main event of UFC 177 Saturday at Sleep Train Arena in Sacramento. Dillashaw won the crown in a stunning upset in May in Las Vegas. The rematch rematch will take place 80 miles from Dillashaw's hometown of Angels Camp.

The 28-year-old Bret Harte High graduate owns a home and trains at Team Alpha Male in Sacramento. He's happy to have the "home-cage" advantage but understands he will be facing a proud and angry former champion. Dillashaw knows he needs to win to build his legacy.

“I need to continue to win, continue to impress (the media) and my fans, and do it in dominating fashion,” Dillashaw said Thursday at the UFC Media Day at Sleep Train Arena. “I’m setting my goals as high as I possibly can. I want to hold on to my belt for a long, long time.”

Dillashaw already has experienced a rapid rise in the UFC. He was a 9-to-1 underdog, who pulled off one of the biggest upsets in UFC history when he stopped Barao in the fifth and final round on May 24. Suddenly, Dillashaw was a star in the sport.

At Thursday's news conference, Dillashaw's wife of two months, Rebecca Dillashaw, watched as the media crowded around her husband. They were married a month after the victory over Barao, and it’s been a hectic time ever since.

“In some ways it’s quite different than before he won (the title). There’s many more media obligations, and he’s busier than he was,” Rebecca said. “But when it comes to his training and other things, it really is pretty much the same.”

Much of the attention comes from Angels Camp, where Dillashaw is considered a local hero. In July, the town held a day in his honor, and Rebecca said she expects a large Calaveras County presence Saturday.

“I honestly would not be surprised if the whole town shows up,” Rebecca said. “It’s exciting. I always get a little nervous before the fight, but I have so much confidence in him.”

T.J. Dillashaw has been working hard to give his friends and family the outcome they want. He has been working out three times a day at a gym owned by UFC star Uriah Faber, Uriah Faber's Ultimate Fitness in Sacramento. For several months as he broke into the sport, Dillashaw slept in Faber’s living room, and he is the first member of Team Alpha Male to win a world title. Now, Dillashaw has his own house guest.

Duane “Bang” Ludwig, his trusted striking coach, has been staying with the Dillashaws as he transitions from Team Alpha Male to start his own gym in Colorado. In the meantime, Ludwig is in Sacramento to train his star pupil. So far, it has worked out in the gym, and at home.

“He’s a great house guest,” Rebecca said. “He’s always offering to help.”

Dillashaw (11-2) dominated the first fight with Barao (34-2-1), but he will be facing a determined opponent who had not lost in nine years. The 27-year-old Brazilian said he underestimated his opponent, and would not do so again.

“It was his night, but it will be different this time,” Barao said through an interpreter. “I’m ready, and the belt means everything to me.”

That’s the one thing both fighters have in common. Dillashaw hopes beating Barao again will keep him at the forefront of the sport.

“I wanted this fight again, and I know he wanted it,” Dillashaw said. “I’m ready for whatever he does, and I’m going to win.”

Contact reporter Scott Linesburgh at (209) 546-8281 or slinesburgh@recordnet.com. Follow him at recordnet.com/sportsblog and on Twitter @ScottLinesburgh.